Feeding and aligning device



Nov. 29, 1938. B. L. HENRY FEEDING AM: ALIGNING DEVICE Filed Aug. 9, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 $2 Y gm Nov. 29, 1938. B. L. HENRY FEEDING AND ALIGNING DEVICE Filed Aug. 9, 1957 a Sheets-Sheet s R Y 0% E T N 2%. 2 5 M Y Patented Nov. 29,

ran .TsT-ATEs- PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to typewriting machines; and more especially to an improved .means for feeding superposed sheets in strip or web form in aligned or properly collated relation.

It is an object of the present invention, as of the invention set forth and claimedin mycopending application Serial No. 134,467, filed April}, 1937,.

to provide a writing machine especially adapted for use with a web or continuous series of collated 3i? and superposed sheets in which the need for preformed marginal holes is eliminated and in which the collated forms are positively fed relative to-the printing line in alignment and in register.

, It is a further object of the present invention to provide a highly eiilcient means for assuring positively the same extent of lineal travel of both inner and outer webs or strips over the platen roller regardless of the number of strips superposed and regardless of the lineal extent of said 2% superposed strips.

In achieving these objects there is provided as a feature of the invention a means for positively feeding the superposed strips in a flat path at the same lineal; speed as the platen roller.

Another feature of the invention resides-in providing a pin feeding means operable by the platen shifting means to pierce the superposed strips while the latter are guided in a flat path and to advance the same concurrently with and at the 0 same lineal speed as the platen roller. I

A further feature of the inventionresidespin providing both a means for-normally locfing the superposed sheets relative to each other on the platen rollerand a pin'means for piereing'the sheets and advancing the same in aflat patch concurrently with the rotation 01 the platen. Anom- -'plemental feature resides in providing a means operable upon actuation of the platen rotating means for moving said locking means to an inop- .40 erativeposition and for subsequently advancing 1 the pin feeding means.

Another feature of the. invention resides in utilizing a clutch means for connecting theplaten rollerwith the feeding pin-to positively and concurrently advance the latter and the platen roller upon actuation of the platen shifting lever.

A further feature of the invention resides-in providing a means adaptedto positively advance superposed strips equal lineal extents in aligned relation in a fiat path conjointly with the rotation advance the superposed strips toward the platen roller in aligned relation coniointly with the rotation oi. the roller and in also providing a means for automatically conditioning the usual paper releasemechanism upon'the actuation of the platen shitting means i 1 5 A further feature-oi. the invention resides in providing a pin feeding means movable from an inoperative position to pierce the superposed strips and subsequently movable to advance the sheets upon a hat guide member concurrently 19 "with the rotation of the platen roller.

Other objects and features in the invention will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top view of aconventional type- 15 writer carriage and platen showing one form of the invention associated therewith.

Fig. 1A isa detail view of the feeding pin carrier.

Fig. 2 is a view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a view partially in section showing the clutch means for locking the platen relative to the feeding pin actuating gears.

Fig. 4 is a top view similar to Fig. 1 with the 25 platen-omitted and showing the modified form of the invention.

Fig. 5. is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 '02 Fig. 4. I

Fig. 6 is an endgview looking toward the right 30 in Fig. 4 with aportion of the carriage omitted to enable a clearer illustration.

Fig. '7 is a top view similar to Fig. 4' showing another modified form of the invention. r

Fig. 8 is a view-taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. '7. 35

' Fig. 9 is a fragmentary exploded detail view showing the feeding pin control means.

' Fig. 9A is a detail view of the feeding pin showing the relation of the pin carrier and control bar in Figs. 7 through 9. 4o Fig. 10 is a detail of a gripping member.

Before describing the present improvements and mode of operation thereot in detail it should be understood that the invention is not limited which are merely illustrative of thepresent preierred embodiments, since the invention is capable of other embodiments; and the phraseology employed is for the'purpose of description and '60 not of limitation.

Although the several forms of the present invention are shown applied to a conventional typewriter of the form usedtor correspondence it will I be understood that they are equallyapplicable I on tabulating,,bookkeeping, accounting and other machines where it is desirable to maintain and feed collated sheets or strips in register.

Referring more particularly to the drawings and first to Figs. 1 through 3, there is shown for the purpose of illustration side frames 28 and 2| of a conventional typewriter carriage supporting in recesses 22 and 23 respectively in the upper faces thereof a rotatable shaft 24- carrying a platen roller 25 of rubber or the like upon which superposed collated strips or sheets of record material, such for example as original sheet 26 and duplicate sheet 21 with a carbon paper 28 therebetween, may be typed. Fingers 29 and 38 ,secured to the frames 28 and 2| by screws 3| serve in a well-known manner to confine the shaft 24 in the recesses 22 and 23 for rotation therein.

Conventional turning knobs 32 are shown at both ends of the shaft 24 for rotating the platen 25.

As is also conventional, there is disclosed a platen shifting lever 33, preferably in the form of a bell crank, pivotally carried on an extension 34 on the side frame 20 which through a suitable linkage 35 is connected with a pawl 36 for en? gagement with a ratchet wheel 31 fixed on the shaft 24 to impart a step-by-step rotary movement to the platen 25 upon actuation of the platen shifting lever 33 in a counterclockwise direction. Any suitable spring means may be provided to return the shifting lever 33 in a clockwise direction after the completion of the platen rotating movement.

38 is provided for engaging the superposed collated strips and positively feeding the same on a fiat table or guide section 39 prior to their passage to the platen roller 25.

The table section 39, as shown, is disposed at an angle at the rear of the platen roller 25 to guide the superposed strips downwardy to pass under the platen roller in the conventional manner. Pivotal supports for the table section are provided by pins 40 in upstanding rigid supporting arms 4| and 42 on the side frames 20 and 2|. respectively, which extend through ears 43 on the table section. The pins 40 likewise serve as a pivotal mounting for a paper lock ball 44 comprising arms 45 and 46 which rotatably carry therebetween a shaft 41 on which are provided usual paper lock rollers 48 adapted to rest upon the platen25. Springs 49, connected to the supporting arms 4| and 42 and to the arms 45 and 46, serve to yieldingly maintain the ball 44 in a lowered position.

For further supporting the table section 39 and for maintaining the same in adjusted angular positions, rearwardly extending ears 50 are provided at either side thereof and are formed with arcuate slots 5| to receive holding screws 52 in the side frames 26 and 2|.

The advantageous feeding means 38 includes a pair of feeding pins 53 spaced transversely of the table section and mounted for movement I toward the table or guide section 39 to pierce the either end of the platen roller25. A rod 6| extending between the side frames 20 and 2| and.

passing through slots 62 in the rack bars 51 and 58 provides a pivotal mounting for the feed control bail. Springs 63 serve to normally yleldingly maintain the control ball 54 in the upper and retracted position shown in Fig. 2 with the rod 6| engaging the lower ends of the slots 62.

Links 64 and 65, having apertures 66 at one end to receive cams 61 on the paper lock bail shaft 41 for a purpose to be presently described in detail, and having pivotal connections at the other end with ears 68 on the slotted control bar 55, complete the mounting of the control ball 54.

As shown, the feeding pins 53 are resepectively secured in carrier blocks 69, see Figs. 1 and 1A in particular, slidably positioned in the slot 56 in the control bar 55 and held therein by screws 18, flanged cap pieces 1| and wing nuts 12. This construction is advantageous in that either or both of the feeding pins may be adjusted laterally relative to each other on the control bar to cooperate with the margins of divers width sheets or strips by merely loosening the wing nuts 12.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 3, the gears 59 and 68 are normally free to rotate upon the platen shaft 24, while the platen is aflixed thereto by keys 13 in the shaft 24 extending into a keyway 24' in the platen. of particular importance, however, it is to be noted that these gears are each mounted between a pair of friction discs 14 in such a way that when the shaft 24 is moved slightly toward the left the gears are each locked relative to the platen roller to rotate therewith. This clutch means 15 for locking and unlocking the gears 59 and 68 relative to the platen 25 is achieved by providing a collar 16 affixed to the shaft at the right of the gear 60 and by afiixing the ratchet wheel 31 to the shaft 24 at the left of gear 59 through a pin and slot connection 11 which while locking the ratchet wheel to the shaft forrotation therewith permits a slight movement thereof longitudinally of the shaft.

With this construction, therefore, when the shifting lever 33 is actuated in a counterclockwise direction to rotate the platen 25, the platen shaft 24 through a spring finger connection 18 with the shifting lever 33, is moved to the left feed. To insure that the movement of the feed pins will be exactly the same as that of the periphery of the platen roller 25 the pitched diameter of the gears 59 and 68 is made exactly the same as the outside diameter of the platen roller.

The advantageous'spring finger connection 18 between the shifting lever 33 and the platen shaft 24 is preferably achieved by means of a fiat spring 19 secured to the shaft by means of a collar section 88 and to a lower extension 8| of the pivot stud 82 of the shifting lever 33 by a slotted connection 83.

For moving the feeding pins 53 from the'inoperative position shown, -to pierce the collated sheets on the fiat table section 39, there is provided on the shifting lever 33 an integral or an afiixed extension 84 with a pin 85 engaging in a slot 86 in the end of a spring strip 81 having a 7 clamping connection 88 with the rotatably carried shaft 41 of the paper locl; hall It.

with this construction, upon initial movement.

of the shifting lever 33 and before the. pawl 36 engagesthe ratchet wheel 31 the shaft 41 is partialLv rotated to causethe cams 61 through the links 84 and BI to pivot the control bail 54 on the pins Bi and thus force the feeding pins shaft 61 is-such that the locking pins 98 are normally maintained in an operative-position hit 53 toward the table section to pierce the collated sheets thereon.

Preferably, there is also associatedwith the shaft 47 a pair of fingers 83 carrying locking pins '98. The relation of the fingers 89 and the piercing the collated sheets and lo'cmng the same relative to each otherand to the platen 25. However-,when the'shaft 41 is rotated causing the cams 61 to move the feeding pins 53 into operative relation with the collated sheets on thetable 7 sections, thefingers 89 are concurrently moved away from the platen roller and out 01 the collated sheets.

Thumb screws ti in theflngers 855 and entering a slot 92 in the shaft ti! serve to efiectively lock the fingers relative to the shaft and at the same time permit an adjustment thereof longitudinally of the shaft to cooperate with the margins of divers width strips. A fiat spring 4t secured to the arm 3t and entering a suitable slot 6? in the rod 6? yieldingly urges the pins 88 through the collated sheets and maintains the slot 86 in register with the pin @5- as the hall 54 is swung from the raised inoperative position to the lowered operative position. 1

' In the operation of the device the collated sheets are first inserted to pass downwardly over the table section 39 and thence under the platen roller 2% and upwardly in front of the same. The

4 paper lock bail 635 is then moved downwardly so that paper lock rollers 58 rest upon the collated sheets on the platen roller and the locking pins tfipierce the sheets to lock. the same relative to each other and to the platen: lhe pin 85 and 'slot 85 connection between shifting lever 33 and the shaft ll permits this movement of the paper lock bail til. A line of printing may then be miamner.

inoperative position, shown in Fig. 2, to pierce the collated sheets on the flat table section. (2011- applied to the collated sheets in the well-known Thence, when it is desired to advance the sheets to bring a new portion thereof opposite the printing line the shifting lever is actuated in the usual manner. Upon an initial movement of the shifting lever and before the shifting pawl 3t engages the ratchet wheel 31!, the feeding pins 53 through the operation of the cams 61 are forced fromthe currently the locking pins 89 are withdrawn from the sheets to free the same frcm each other on the platen roller. Relative movement of pins 53 and 95 may be timed in any desired way by adjustment of the cam 67 on the rod il. Preferably the feeding pins 53 are forced through. the

5 collated sheets before the locking pins 9e are released therefrom. Also, during the initial movement of the shifting lever 33, the platen shaft 23 through the spring finger connection it is moved slightly to the left to take up the slack and lock the gears 59. and relative to the platen 25' between the. friction discs 7|.

Subsequent and platen advancing movement of the shifting lever 33 causes the rotation of the platen 25 which through the locked gears 59 and causes the rack bars 151 and 58 to he m'oved forwardly carrying therewith the feeding pins 53' which through their piercing relation with the collated sheets advance table section 89. a I

Because the collated sheets on the table section are advanced in a fiat as distinguished from a curved path by the pins 58 an exactly lineal feed is given' to the inner and outer sheets. And bethe same on the flat cause these sheets are positively'locked relative to each other this exactly equal lineal advance of the sheets is carried forward when the same pass around the platen roller. This represents a distinct advantage, especially when feeding very long collatedstrips because there is a definite tendency of the superposed strips or sheets .to

turningradius of the outer strips. j

During a return of the platen shifting lever to its initial position, as by a conventional-spring, the shaft '51 of the paper lock. hall is rotated to move the locking pins'90 hack into piercing relato withdraw the'i'eeding pins 63 from the strips on the flat table section. Concurrently the platen shaft 2A through the spring finger connection it is moved slightly to the rlght,'releasing the'frictional clutch'drive of the gears 55% and 6B and permitting the springs 53 to subsequently return the racks 51 and 58 and associated feed pins 53 to the initial retracted position, shown in Fig. 2, as the gears 59 and to rotate freely on the platen shaft 24. The

iorced through the collated sheets.

It will be. "readily appreciated that this form of the inventipn may be applied to typewriters-- and the liken'ow in the field having a fiat table V v section at a considerable angle in back'of the -roller inexpensively and without major changes.

In Figs. d through-ii another form of the inyention is disclosed. vIt difiers from the form first '15 creep relative to each other due to the greater v tion with the sheets, and through the cams 61 ending in the direction of feed described primarily in the provision of a different locking pin arrangementand in the fact that it is arranged to feed superposed strips or webs. relative to aiflat guide'memher 85 which is on a substantially horizontal plane. This guide memher 99 has an upper plate Hill and a'lower plate mu defining therebetween'a guide passage for the collated stripsas they are fed' toward the platen roller 25. Ears m2 and 9 03 on the upper plate tilt! cooperating respectively with screws ass in the side frames and with a rod i 05 extending'hetween the side framesifi' and 2i, and ears iud'and' iili on the lower, plate cooperating respectively with screws wt in the side frames 20 and 2t and in inward extensions Hi5 and H0 guide member st in position.

Asin Figs. 1 through 3; Figs. 4 through 6 disclose side frames 20 and ii -of a conventional thereon, the side frames serveto maintain the typewriter carriage supporting a platen roller 25- I of rubber or the like. Also, as in Fig; l and as is conventional, there is included a shifting lever 33 for operating the'pawl to engage with the ratchet wheelv and impart a step-by-steprotary move-'- ment to the platen roller 26. Likewise, there is provided a paper lock ball 44 pivotally associated with the side frames 28 and 2| by arms 45 and 46 pivotally mounted on the rigid supporting arms 4| and 42 to be swung upwardly and into a retracted position at the back of the machine. Springs 48 serve to yieldingly maintain the ball 44 in a lowered position. It is to be noted, however, that the shaft 41 carried between the arms 45 and 46 and on which are mounted the paper lock rollers 48, is connected in no way with the shifting lever 33 and is free of any locking pins.

In this modified form of the invention there is provided a control bail III of substantially rectangular form for supporting both feeding pins H2 and locking pins II3. Rack bars 4 and H5 forming the sides of the bail and preferably integral therewith are slidable in suitable channels H6 and H1 in inward extensions I88 and H8 on the side frames 28 and 2|. The rack bars H4 and H5, as the rack bars 51 and 58 in Figs. 1 through 3, mesh with the gears 58 and 68 on the platen shaft 24. The clutch means 15 for locking the gears relative to the platen roller 25 for rotation therewith is the same as in the form first described and shown clearly in Fig. 3.

A bar H8 at the front of the control bail III and having a slot 8 therein supports a pair of slide blocks I28 accommodating the locking pins I I3. As shown most clearly in Fig. 5 these slide blocks are provided with arcuate Bulde channels I2I adapted to receive heads I22 on the locking pins I I3 and permit slight movement thereof with the platen.

For associating the slide blocks with the bar II8 screws I23 are inserted in portions of the blocks overlying the bar to extend through the slot II8 therein. Wing nuts I24 serve to clamp the slide blocks to the bar H8 in divers positions thereon to cooperate with wide and narrow sheets or strips of paper.

) The feeding pins H2 are respectively supported on a pair of inverted U-shaped carriers I25 adapted to slide both vertically and longitudinally on a control bar I28 at the rear of the control bail III.

Vertical movement of the pair of feeding pins H2 is eifected by rotating a rod I21 carried between the side frames 28 and 2| at the rear of the control bar. Movement of the rod I21 is transmitted to the respective pins 2 by flat spring fingers I28 connected at one end to the underside of collar blocks I28 slidable longitudinally on the rod I21 and held for rotation therewith by thumb'screws I38 entering a slot |3| therein. At the other end the flat springs I28 enter suitable slots I32 in the inverted U-shaped carriers. Thus, when the rod I21 is rotated in a clockwise direction the feeding pins I I2 through the fiat springs I28 are forced upwardly to pierce the collated strips. Upward movement of the carriers I25 and pins I I2 is limited by the springs I28 engaging the bottom of the control bar. I26 of the control bail I I I.

For rotating the rod I21 there is provided a cam I33 at the lower end of an extension 8| on the shifting lever pivot stud: 82 which engages with a cam confining collar I34 on a link I35 having a pivot connection I36 with the upper end of a lever I31 on the rod I21. below the cam I33 serves to maintain the link I35 and cam engaging collar I34 in operative association therewith.

The means operating the clutch means 15 to lockthe gears 58and68 for rotation with the platen A stop plate I38 roller 25 is the same as in Figs. 1 through 3 and includes a flat spring 18 connected to the platen shaft 24 at one end, and having a connection with a slot 83 in the extension 8| on the shifting. lever pivot stud 82 at the other end. Springs I38 serve to yieldingly maintain the control bar III and feeding pins H2 in the retracted rearward position shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

In the operation ofthis form of the invention when the shifting lever 33 is moved in the conventional manner in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, the cam I33 is initially rotated to pull the link I35 forwardly and thus partially rotate the rod I21 causing the spring fingers I28 to lift the carriers I25 and force the feeding pins II2 through the collated strips. Preferably, a series of narrow grooves I48 are formed in the upper plate I88 of the guide member 88 to receive the feeding pins as the latter are forced through the collated strips.

Concurrently, through the spring linger con'- nection 18, the clutch means 15 is conditioned to lock the gears 58 and 68 for rotation with the platen.

After the feeding pins II2 have been forced through the collated sheets and the gears 58 and 68 have been locked for rotation with the platen roller 25, subsequent clockwise movement of the shifting lever 33 causes the conventional pawl and ratchet wheel mechanism to rotate the platen roller 25, whereupon the gears 58 and 68 drive the rack bars H4 and I,|5 simultaneously and.

exactly the same lineal extent as the peripheral travel of the platen to advance the feeding pins and engaged collated strips toward the platen. A slot I in the lower plate I 8| permits an uninterrupted advancing movement of the feeding pins and likewise permits adjustment thereof longitudinally of the control bar I26 to cooperate with collated strips of divers widths. I

During this advancing travel of the rack bars I I4 and I I5, the associated front bar I I8 is moved away from the platen in order to withdraw the pair of locking pins II3 therefrom and from the collated strips thereon. Because of the fact that there may be a slight extent of travel of the platen 25 and strips before the locking pins are entirely withdrawn, there is provided a means for permitting a small movement of the locking pins with the strips 'until a full release of the platen and sheets is effected. This latter means, as heretofore described, includes the arcuate guide channels I2I in the locking pin slide blocks I28.

Upon a completion of the advancing or feed- 55 ing operation the shifting lever 33 is released and returns to its initial position under the influence of any conventional spring means. Durthe return movement of the shifting lever, the

cam I33 through the link I35, rod I21 and spring '0 fingers I 28 withdraws the feeding pins 2 from the collated strips. The clutch means 15 is then released as in the form disclosed in Figs. 1 through 3 and the gears 58 and 68 are rendered free to rotate on the platen shaft 24, whereupon 05 this movement of the control bail the locking pins 70 H3 are again forced into piercing relation with the strips on the platen roller to lock the same thereto. During initial release of the shifting lever 33, and prior to release of the clutch and,

. vention a flat horizontal guide member I48 is turnedtotheirinitialretractedpositionsinr ness to again advance the strips concurrently with the platen roller upon subsequent actuation of the-shifting lever.

The form of the invention disclosed in Figs. 7 through 9 is-generaliy similar-to the forms heretofore describedand illustrated; in? Figs. 1' through 8. It differs from those forms principally-in that it provides a direct nonyielding drive for both the feeding pins I44 and the .locking Pins I45. v

' The side frames, paper lock baiL'pIaten shift-- .ing mechanism, platen roller, as .well as the gears and clutch means-on the platen shaft 24, may be exactly the same as those vshown in Figs. 1 through 8. Preferably, in this form of the inprovided similar to the guide member disclosed in Figs. 4 through 6 and comprlsing an'u'pper plate'.I41 and a lower plate I48 defining therebetween a guide passage I48. 'Ears I58 and I51 on the upper plate I41 cooperating respectively with screws I52 in the side frames," and 2| and witlr'a rod.I58 extending between the side frames, and cars In and I55 on the lower plate I48 cooperating respectively with screws 158 in inwardextens ions'lfl and I58 on the side frames and with arod I58 extending between the side frames serve to maintain'the guide member in position.

Referring now in detail to those features of.

" construction in this form oftheinvention-difier- 7 and 8; are respectively carried by fingers ltd ing'fromthe'forms previously described, a long downwardly extending shaft I88 is .provided as the pivot member of'the'shifting lever 33, and

mounted between the side frames 28 and M is adapted to engage with the rack bar I82 and to be moved thereby. Oscillation of this rod I88, as will presently appear, controls both locking pins I and feeding pins I44.

The pair of locmng pins I45, as seen in Figs.

. on collar blocks I81 slidable longitudinally on the rod I88 to enable the locking'pins to engage with the "of divers width strips. Thumb screws l88 engageable in-a suitable slot E58 in the red serve to lock the fingers I68 andassociated locmng pins "to the rod for rotation therewith while'permitting adjustment of the locking plongitudinally of the rod. I

Normal retraction of the-conventional shift= ing lever 38 to its neutral or initial and inopei' ative position, as by any] usual spring means, causes the rack bar I82 to arcuately move the. locking pins through the collated strips superposed'upon the platen, and preferably into the platen a slight extent to lock the collated strips relative thereto and to each other during the typing operation. As' shown, it'is desirable to locate the locking pins I45 and fingers I65 below the usual type carrying head of a type bar so that there will be. no interference.

The pair of feeding pins I44 are carried by a modified control ball of ll-shape somewhat similar to the control balls in Figsrl through 6. As with those-control bails the bail I18 in the form disclosed in Figs, 7 through 9 is controlled to force thezpair of feeding pins through: the col, lated strips, by direct mechanicallnonyieldingi means, and then to advance the feeding pins concurrently with the platen roller.

' For thus controlling the -bailI18 and feeding 'pins I44 a pair of cams III, are mounted on the 'rod I84,.preferably at opposite ends thereof, for

rotation therewith, and are adapted .to engage ears I12 and I13v on a pair of slide members I14 which may be advantageously supported in suitable channels 3 I15 provided in inward extensions or lugs I51 and I58 on the side frames 28 and *2I. A plate I15 held in'place as byscrews I11, 'maybe provided to lock one of the slide members in the channel I15 in the extension I58. A like plate, omitted from Fig. 7 for purposes of a more clear illustration, may also be provided to maintain the other slide member I14 in the-channel in the extension I51 on the other side frame 28.

,Of particular importance the control bail I18 is formed with a crossbar I18 at the rear thereof provided with a channel I18 therein adapted 'in under the influence of the gears 59 and 88 controlled by the clutch. members 15 (see Fig. 3) Springs I84 serve to normally maintain the control bail I18 in the retracted position shown in Figs. 7- and 8. a

For supporting and "controlling movement of the control bar I88 in the channel I19 in the crossbar I18, the slide members I14 are provided with guide orcam channels I85 adapted to receive pins I88, extending outwardly from both ends of the control bar. 7 4

Each of the main control channels I85 preferably includes a lower substantially horizontal channel I81 adapted to maintain the control bar 888. and associated carriers I81 and feeding pins "to accommodates control bar I88 which'serves 'as a support for a pair of carriers I8I for the H44 in a lowered position relative to the crossbar-I18 and guide member I88 when the shifting lever 38 is in its inoperative initial position and the slide members I14 are in the forward position shown in Fig. 'I. I

Each of the main control channels I85 also includes a. coextensive upwardly inclined channel I88 and a long upper channel I89 adapted to respectively engage with the pins I86 to raise the-control, bar-and then guide the same in an upper and, operative position as first the slide members are moved-rearwardly by the cams HI and subsequently the control bail and-associated control bar and feedingpins I54 are moved forwardly by the operation of the gears 59- and 88 and rack bars I182 and I83.

'To enable'a proper and complete piercing of the su collated strips in the horizontal guide member I48 by the feeding pins I44 when the latter are forcedupwardly with the control bar I88, a-series of grooves I88 are formed in the upper P te I41 of the guide member.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 9,'each of the feeding pin carriers I8I isjpreferably formed in two parts with a botto'm'plate I8I and front plate I82 connected by a pivot pin I83 through suitable hinge knuckles I94 and I95 thereon. These parts are so proportioned that the front Plate I82, to which the feeding pin is connected, fits soildlyagainst the crossbar I18 thus preventing a rearward tilting of the-feed-- ingpin I44 as the control bail advances the same to feed the superposed collated strips forwardly toward the platen roller. However, a spring I98 7 A stud I91 having a head I98, shank I99 and threaded portion 200 is two feeding pin carriers provided for each of the I8I to cooperate in maintaining the same in proper relation with the control bail J80. As shown most clearly in Fig. 9A,

the head I98 of the stud rests on the top of the control bar while the shank I99 passes downwardly through a slot 201 therein to receive on the threaded portion 200 awing nut 202 which securely locks the bottom plate I9I of the carrier against the underside of the control bar. With this construction the feeding pins may be easily adjusted to cooperate with strips of divers widths by merely loosening the wing nut 202 and sliding either one or both of the carriers I6l longitudinally ofthe control bar.

In the operation of this form of the invention when it is desired to advance sheets or strips one or more line spaces in the machine, the shifting lever 33 is operated in the usual manner whereupon the crank I6I through the rack bar I62 and gear I63 rotates the rod I64 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 8, to withdraw the locking pin I45 from the platen roller 25 and superposed collated strips or sheets.

Concurrently the cams "I move against the fingers I13 on the slide members I14 to push the latter toward the rear of the machine, whereupon the inclined channels I85 cooperate with the pins I86 on the control bar I to move the latter upwardly and force the feeding pins I44 through the collated sheets and into the grooves I90 in the upper plate of the guide member I46.

All of the above movements take place during the initial movement of the shifting lever 33 and before the conventional link 35 actuates the conventional ratchet drive for the platen roller.

During subsequent and platen rotating actuation of the shifting lever 33, the gears 59 and 60, which have been locked for rotation with platen shaft 24 by the conditioning of the clutch means 15 (see Fig. 3), are rotated to move the rack bars I82 and I83 forwardly and thus advance the feeding pins I44 to carry the superposed collated sheets forwardly a lineal extent exactly equal to the peripheral travel of the face of the platen roller. The strips are thus fed forwardly to pass under the platen and then between the conventional paper lock rollers and the platen, with exactly the same lineal advance being transmitted to each of the superposed strips whether it be an inner or an outer strip.

, Upon a release of the platen shifting lever 33 after the completion of the advancing movement, it is returned to its initial position by any usual spring means. During this return movement the rack bar I62 moves'forwardly to rotate the rod in a clockwise direction. This rotation of the rod causes the locking pins to pierce the superposed strips and lock the same relative to each other and to the platen and also causes the cam "I to engage the fingers I12 on the slide members to pull the latter forwardly causing the control channel I to withdraw the feeding pins from the collated strips.

.or outer sheet on Concurrently, the clutch means 15 is released in the same manner as in the forms disclosed in Figs. 1 through 6, and the gears rendered free to rotate on the platen shaft 24-. Springs I64 then pull the control bail I10 and associated feeding pins into the retracted and normally inoperative position shown.

A transverse slot 203 in the lower plate I48 of the guide member permits freedom of movement of the feeding pins I44 in the direction of strip feed during both the rearward and forward movement of the pins. I

In the event that the feeding beginning of the return movement of the rack bars I82 and I83 on the release of the clutch means 15, adverse fouling of the pins on the strips is prevented by the forward yield of the pin supporting plates I92 of the carriers which causes the pins I44 to ineifectively slide along the undersurface of the collated strips.

In all forms of the invention it is therefore seen that because of the positive feeding of the superposed strips on a flat guide member there is an exactly equal lineal feed given to each of the superposed sheets whether the same be an inner the platen, and further that this feed is accomplished concurrently with the usual rotary feed of the platen.

If preferred the various small piercing pins hereinbefore described may be replaced with,

gripping members 2I2, as shown in Fig. 10, to press the sheets together, and against slipping. However, it is less advantageous than the pins which actually pierce the paper.

As shown in Fig. 1, there may be provided with each of the forms of the invention a means controlled by the platen shifting lever for moving the usual small pressure rollers underlying the platen to a material releasing position. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, this means includes an L-shaped arm 205 with an intermediate bowed portion 206, extending between and secured to the shifting lever 33 and a usual pres- "sure release handle 201 with which all-standard typewriters are equipped.

With this construction the handle 201 is moved to release the pressure rollers during initial movement of the shifting and platen rotating movement of the shifting lever is permitted by the flexing of the spring arm. Return of the shifting lever moves the handle 201 to pressure locking position. Hence, while the pressure rollers are normally maintained in operative position to hold the record that its operative axis lies on the other side of the pivotal axis of the shifting lever.

A further device for automatically moving the usual pressure rollers to a material releasing position is shown in Fig. 8. Like the pressure release control illustrated in Fig. 1, this control may be advantageously provided with each of the forms of the invention.

This modified control means, unlike the one pins I44 are not v entirely clear of the superposed strips at the lever 33. Subsequent arsenal first described, is operable upon movement of the paper lock bail ,l'l' to a lower and operative-posiusual pressure release handle Ifl'tocause the latter to move to a pressure releasing position.

Thus. when the ball 44, and alsothe pin means in Figs. 1 through 3,are swung to operative pooltion 'the usual pressure rollers are automatically moved away from the platen to prevent any adverse drag on the material during the actuation crative position through said sheets .-upon initial Variations and modifications may be made of the pin feeding means.

within th scope of thisinvention and portions of the improvements may be used without. others. Having thus described the invention what is claimedasnewis: v 1. In 'a device of the-character described the combinationof a rotary platen'for supporting a "sheet;feeding means engageable with said sheets;

a gear and rack for advancing said feeding means; a clutch associated with said gear and rack; and means for shifting said platen and for coordinately' conditioning said clutch to actuate said g'earand rack and thereby" advance the'feeding means. g

2. In a device of the character described the combination of arotary platen for supporting a the gear and rack actuated feeding means operasheet: gear and rack actuated feeding means engageable with said sheet; locking means engageable with said sheet; a clutch; platen shifting means; and means, operated by said platen shiftingmeans, for rendering said locking means inoperative and said feeding meansoperative and for concurrently. conditioning said clutch to render tive concurrently with the platen.

s. In a device of the character described the combination of a platen for supporting superposed sheets; a pin feeding means movable from an inoperative position to pierce saidsheets and then movable to positively'advance said sheets in a i fiat plane to cause equal lineal movement of each of said-superposed sheets on said platen; and a: single means for moving. said pin feeding means from said inoperative position to pierce said sheets and for subsequently moving said pin feeding means .to advance said sheets. I

i. In a device of the character described the combination oi as platen roller for supporting sheets; a substantially fiat guide member; feeding means movable from an inoperative position to engage said sheets while on said guide member and then movable in a substantially fiat plane to advance said sheets; platen means; and

means for placing the feeding means in operative relation with said shifting means to eflect moveni'ent of said feeding means to engage said sheets and to subsequentlyadvance said sheets concurrently with the rotation of said platen roller.

5. In a device of the character described the combination of a rotary feediiigmeans for a sheet; a flat feeding means for said sheet; locking means for engaging said sheet; and means for moving said locking means to an inoperative pbsi tion and for subsequently and concurrently actuating said, rotary and flat feeding means. 6. In a device of thecharacter described the combination of aplaten roller for supporting sheets; a flat guide member; feeding pin means 'cooperable with said sheets when moving. relative to said guide member; a platen shifting means;

.means for forcing said pin means from an inoperative position through said sheets upon initial movement of said shifting means; and for advancshitting means.

ing th same concurrently with said platenroller upon subsequent movement of -said shifting means; and means for withdrawing said pin,

means from said sheets upon return movement of said shifting means.

I. Ina device of the character described the combination of a platen roller for supporting 5 sheets; a flat guide member; feeding pin means cooperable with said sheets when movingrelative to said guide means; a platenshifting means; means for forcing said-pin means iran an inopmovement oi said shifting means, and for ad vancing the same concurrently with said platen roller upon subsequent movement of said shifting shifting means; and spring means for returning said pin feeding means to the initial inoperative,

position.

.8. In a device of the character described the combination of a platen roller for'supporting sheets; a guide member; feeding pin means cooperable with said sheets when moving relative to said guide member; means for locking said sheets on said roller;'means for forcing said pin. means 4 means; means" for withdrawing said pin means from said sheetsupon return movement of'said from an inoperative position through said sheets and for moving said locking means to an inoperative retracted position; means for subsequently am a. device of the character described the combinationot a platen roller for supporting sheets; a substantially flat guide member; pinfeeding means cooperable with. said sheets when moving relative to said guide memberfplaten shiftingmeans; means operable by said shifting means upon initial movement thereof for forcing said pm w. from an inoperative position through said sheets; and clutch means for connecting said shifting means and said pin feeding means to advance the latter conjointly with the platen roller upon subsequent movement of said 10. In a device of the character described the combination of a platen roller for supporting sheets a guide member; pin feeding means coop stable with said sheets when moving relative to saidguide member; platen shifting means; means actuated by said shifting means for iorcing said pin means from an inoperative position through said sheets; a gwr associated with said platen; a rack engageable with said gear for. advancing said pin feeding means coniointly with said platen;

' and means operable by said shitting means for, 'locking said gear and said platen for conjoint rotation subsequ nt to the piercing of said sheets the p feeding me 1 11. In a device of the character described the combination of a platen roller for supporting.

sheets; a substantialy flat guide member; a pair of feeding 'pins, spaced laterally of the guide member and movable toward and away from each other to cooperate with margins of divers width sheets; platen shifting means; and means operable by said shifting means for forcing said pins through'said sheets and subsequently advancing the same conjointly with said platenroller.

.12. In 'a device of the character described the combination of a' platen roller for supporting sheets; a guide member; a pairof. lockingpins, and movable laterally of the platen roller;

jlo

a pair of feeding pins spaced and movable later: ally of the guide member; platen shifting means; and means operable by said shifting means for forcing said feeding pins into said sheets, for moving said locking pin's' out of said sheets and for subsequently advancing said feeding pins conjointly with said platen roller.

13. In a device of the character described the combination of a platen roller for supporting sheets; a guide member; a pair of locking pins, spaced and movable laterally of the platen roller; a pair of feeding pins spaced and movable laterally of the guide member; platen shifting means; means operable by said shifting means for forcing said feeding pins into said sheets, for moving said locking pins out of said sheets and for subsequently advancing said feeding pins conjointly with said platen roller; and means for forcing said locking pins into and for drawing said feeding pins out of said sheets upon completion of said platen advancing movement. 4

14. In a device of the character described the combination of a platen roller for supporting sheets; a guide member; platen rotating means; pin feeding means movable from an inoperative position to pierce said sheets when passing the guide member; means controlled by said platen rotating means for moving said feeding .means to advance said sheets; and sliding cam means controlled by said platen rotating means for positively moving said feeding means into operative engagement with said sheets prior to operation of said feeding pin advancing means.

In a device of the character described the combination of a platen roller for supporting sheets; a guide member having grooves therein extending in the direction of feed; platen rotating means; pin feeding means; and means controlled by. said platen rotating means for forcing said pin means through said sheets and into said grooves, and for subsequently advancing said pin means concurrently with said platen roller.

16. In a device of the character described the combination 'of a platen roller for supporting sheets; a table member for guiding said sheets relative to said platen roller; means for normally locking said sheets relative to said platen; pin means for advancing said sheets on said table member; platen rotating means; means operable by said rotating means for positively moving said locking means away from said platen and for forcing said pin means. through said sheets; and means operable by said rotating means for subsequently advancing said pin means relative to said table member concurrently with said platen roller.

1'7. In a device of the character described the combination of a platen roller for supporting sheets; a flat guide member; platen rotating means; a control bar; pin feeding means carried by and slidable on said bar to cooperate with sheets of divers widths; and means operable by said platen rotating means for moving the control bar towards said guide member to force the pin means through the sheets and for subsequently moving said bar to advance said pin means concurrently with said platen.

1 In a device of the character described the combination of a platen roller for supporting sheets; a flat guide member; a platen shifting means; pin feeding means for. advancing said sheets on said fiat guide member; pressure means for maintaining the sheets in engagement with said platen roller and movable from a normal operative to a releasing'position; means for moving said pressure means from the operative to the releasing position upon actuation of said shifting means; and means for moving said pin feeding means into operative position to advance said sheets upon actuation of the shifting means.

9. In a device of the character described the combination of a platen roller for supporting sheets; a flat guide member; platen shifting means; pin feeding means for advancing said sheets on said fiat guide member; pressure means for maintaining the sheets in engagement with said platen roller and movable from a normal operative to a releasing position; a paper lock bail movable from a raised inoperative position to a lower ed operative position relative to said platen; means for moving said pressure means from the operative to the releasing position upon movement of said bail to its operative position; and means for moving said pin feeding means into operative position to advance said sheets upon actuation of the shifting means.

BEULAH LOUISE HENRY. 

